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Abstract

Background

The multiple pregnancy incidence is increasing worldwide. This increased
incidence is concerning to the health care system. This study aims to determine the frequency
of multiple pregnancy and identify factors that affect this frequency in Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study included 5170 mothers in labor between July 6-21, 2015 from 103 hospitals with Obstetrics and Gynecology Wards. The
questionnaire used in this study consisted of five parts: demographic characteristics; information related to pregnancy; information related to the infant; information regarding
the multiple pregnancy; and information associated with infertility. We recruited 103
trained midwives to collect data related to the questionnaire from eligible participants
through an interview and medical records review. Frequencies and odds ratios (OR) for
the association between multiple pregnancy and the selected characteristics (maternal
age, economic status, history of multiple pregnancy in first-degree relatives, and reproductive history) were computed by multiple logistic regression. Stata software, version
13 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA) was used for all statistical analyses.

Conclusion

The frequency of multiple pregnancy approximated results reported in previous studies in Iran. Based on the results, we observed significantly greater frequency of
multiple pregnancy in older women, those with a history of ART, and a history of multiple
pregnancy in the mother’s family compared to the other variables.